1
as in to moisten
to make or become slightly or moderately wet
dampen a paper towel with water and use it to clean up the mess
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to reduce or weaken in strength or feeling
the oppressive heat dampened our spirits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
nothing could dampen their enthusiasm
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dampen
While Riverside had by far the worst debt-to-income ratio at 251 percent, Miami saw housing costs dampen finances.
—
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave, and dampen a clean cloth in the water.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Independence Day spirits were not dampened after a lightning strike prematurely set off the city of Sanford, Florida's fireworks display.
—Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
Whether Trump’s raft of tariffs—delayed until Aug. 1—will dampen consumer confidence later this year.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Carefully remove the hot bowl from the microwave, and dampen a clean cloth in the water.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Independence Day spirits were not dampened after a lightning strike prematurely set off the city of Sanford, Florida's fireworks display.
—Pilar Arias, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2025
Whether Trump’s raft of tariffs—delayed until Aug. 1—will dampen consumer confidence later this year.
—Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for dampen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dampen
Verb
-
Superb red snapper with herb butter, mushroom ravioli, peas and steamed asparagus was a little overloaded, but a branzino fillet dusted with summer’s fragrant herbs came with roasted delicata squash and potatoes moistened with olive oil.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Usually a half to three-quarter inch of water is all that is needed each time the sod is moistened.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 June 2025
Verb
-
Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
26 July 2025
-
Morning dopamine spikes from phone use reduce your motivation to pursue slower, more meaningful tasks later.—
Ximena Araya-Fischel,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Avoid Common Mistakes Despite the benefits of catch-up contributions, many individuals make avoidable errors that undermine their effectiveness.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
The firing of a career public servant, lawfully appointed by the court, is another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesn't agree with them and undermine judicial independence.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
How to Apply: Apply to damp hair post-shower, evenly working through hair from roots to ends.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
-
Another option is to place old tiles or damp cardboard near plants showing pest damage, and then check under these coverings once a day.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Rarely has an executive ever shown the kind of patience that Getz is displaying with the 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, who has diminished his trade value by hitting .219 with a .656 OPS since the start of ’24.—
Phil Rogers,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The Stars regularly raise prices on their services while diminishing their quality.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Also in the Pacific, Tropical Depression Iona, over 1,400 miles west of Honolulu, continued weakening as it was expected to cross the International Date Line on Saturday, according to a hurricane center advisory.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
-
Alcohol also weakens the valve that keeps stomach acid in place, leading to reflux and heartburn.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Several people wetted shirts in the river, then put them back on.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
-
To create the look, Vickers wets White’s hair, coats it with sea salt spray to add texture, and then finishes it off a diffuser and milk serum to help keep the shape.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Repeatedly returning to themes of globalization and alienation, the 55-year-old director has meticulously chronicled his country’s uneasy plunge into the 21st century as rampant industrialization risks deadening those left behind.—
Tim Grierson,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
-
By Richard Assheton Read On Little Britain The Breakfast Clubs America’s morning television brightens the day but deadens the soul.—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
5 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dampen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dampen. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share